changing tires

Can i change the tires myself or should i bring it to a shop and have them do it? the only tool i have is a 16" tire iron.

manual says something about breaking the seal being a pain...

 

My personal opinion (and this will start a firestorm

Take them somewhere and get them profesionally mounted and high-speed spin balanced; will probably run about $30-$40 per wheel. To me it's cheap insurance and peace of mind. Others will beg to differ, stay tuned.

 

do it ur self and use dyna beads..... ready... GO! :lol:

 

Or.....mix the two....have a brother inlaw who works at a local tire shop....do it yourself in the shop after hours.... :wink:

 

im going w. fitz... i have too much on my plate as it is.

 

what are dyna beads?

 

please don't ask.

 

Dyna beads should be used in place of the YICS port blanking tool when changing tires.

 

pay no attention to Len it's been unseasonably hot in Atlanta recently...

 

Bartender, I'll have what he's having!!

For me it was take the rim off to a shop and have them do it. However I have also replaced them myself by spooning the tires on the rim. Usually wound up dinging my rim's by doing that!!! One more thing, if you have two motorcycles breaking the bead is easy. Just use the kickstand of the other bike and put it right next to the rim and lean the bike on the tire as it's sitting on the lawn. Instant bead breaker providing that you have removed ALL the air first.

Sean

 

LMAO very funny Len...

 

If your not confident with changing your own tires, you should probably take it to a reputable shop and have them done there. Take the wheel off the bike and take it in, they won't charge as much if the wheel is already off the bike.
I've always changed my own tires with success, using rim protectors (plastic guards so the rim doesn't get scratched) and a homemade bead breaker I made for changing car tires years ago. I use saw horses and the axle to gravity-balance them and usually get good results. I can balance them good for 80 mph (don't really need to go any faster anyways) I mostly use the stick-on weights to balance them (sold at auto stores)

 

I'd also recommend taking them in. If the plate is full and you don't have the slightest idea what you are about to do, you'd be doing yourself a favor and saving yourself a fair chunk of time in the long run. We have a link in our links section for a DITY changer and how to use it, check it out and see if it fits your life. I bought the tire changer from Harbor Freight rather than build the setup mentioned. Works fine. I just can't seem to get the hang of balancing. I'm working on that.